The day after the Tasmanian Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide was defeated, Disability activist, author and editor of the ABC's Ramp Up website on disability,
As Lives Worth Living made similar observations in their submission to the Tasmanian Parliament. They also noted that not every person living with disability would agree. This does not diminish the argument - it only enhances it in as much as it is a voice that needs to be heard.
Here's the opening few paragraphs of the story. I have provided a link at the bottom to the story on the Ramp Up site because I want to encourage readers to also read the comments left by others.
Stella Young Ramp Up 18 Oct 2013
Relieved at the defeat of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill yesterday, ABC Ramp Up Editor Stella Young remains opposed to legalising assisted death in any form. Here she explains why.
Two and a half months ago, my grandfather died. He was 84. He was not unwell in any specific way. He had no cancer and had only spent short periods of time in hospital. He was just old, worn out and over it.
During his last week or so, he expressed a wish to die many times. He once asked his doctor, with no small amount of distress, how it was possible for a person's body to be dying but not their mind. He had reached a point where dying was what he wanted, and we wanted that for him too.
None of us, including his doctor, could do anything to assist him with his wishes because neither euthanasia nor assisted suicide are legal in Australia. With the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill voted down by Tasmanian parliament this week, it doesn't look like that will change any time soon.
For many years now, I have been opposed to legalising assisted death in any form. My recent experience with my dear Pa Jack has not changed my mind.
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